A number of kings may have ruled in 17th century Asia, yet they differed
             significantly in their treatment of citizens and captives. Two historic
             recordsâ€"one written by the influential Chinese Buddhist Abbot Shilian
             Dashan about self-proclaimed King Minh Vuong in 1695, and the second
             compiled by Father Pierre Du Jarric during the early 1600s on Akbar or
             Great Mogul--clearly demonstrated how varied these kingdoms could be.
             In 1695 King Minh Vuong invited Abbot Dashan to his Vietnamese
             Kingdom of Dang Trong, or what the Europeans called "Cochinchina," to
             establish the principles of the school of Zen Buddhism. After an arduous
             voyage, made worse by the claustrophobic quarters shared with merchants and
             traders, the multi-storied vessel arrived at its destination.
             It did not take long for the abbot to recognize that not all was
             peaceful and abundant in this land. Several old men, unkempt and with
             blackened teeth, came up to the boat as soon as it arrived. However, they
             were fearful and did not come aboard. This was the responsibility of the
             king's officers only. Later, much to the abbot's embarrassment and
             uneasiness, ten marines physically carried him off the ship. They headed to
             the Royal Inspectorate's war vessel, which was rich with incense, gold
             boxes and other adornments. Meanwhile, King Minh Vuong stayed in his
             palace. He would wait for the abbot to come to him, rather than the
             The next day, Abbot Dashan discovered why he only saw old men, women
             and children in the villages. Any able-bodied man over 16 had to leave his
             family behind until the age of 60. All younger males in good health were
             required to be soldiers in the king's army and do whatever he demanded.
             They fought whenever there was a war and worked
             for the state in other capacities in times of peace. For example, King
             Minh Vuong sent 1,000 soldiers to build Dashan's new house. Many famil...